186 ANSWERS TO PRACTICAL QUESTIONS 



Certainly not a "wholesome" tonic, nor a true "tonic" in 

 any sense, for the reasons elaborated in the answers to the pre- 

 vious questions. A real tonic builds up the system, and puts it 

 upon a permanent basis of healthy function. The effect of 

 alcohol is to impair, not to build up. 



52. Is it a good plan to talce a glass of liquor before 

 dinner ? 



Alcohol is peculiarly injurious when taken upon an empty 

 stomach, and furnishes a sorry preparation for the proper di- 

 gestion of food. 



(See answers to Questions 42, 43.) 



224^. Why is the pain of incipient hip-disease fre- 

 quently felt in the knee ? 



*Phe sensation of pain is located by the mind, at the part 

 of the body where the injured nerve takes its rise. 



2. IVIiy does a child require more sleep than an aged 

 person ? 



The processes of nutrition are going on rapidly, and, in 

 youth, much rest is required to repair the losses of each day; 

 in age, waste predominates, and the repairs made are of a 

 temporary character. The building is soon to be torn down, 

 and little effort is taken to beautify or strengthen that which 

 is to be used for so short a time. 



3. When you put your finger in the palm of a sleeping 

 cJiild, why will he grasp it ? 



The unconscious action of the near nervous centers pro- 

 duces a contraction of the muscles. 



4. How may we strengthen the brain ? 



By judicious, habitual, but not exhaustive employment. 

 The life of the brain is in change. Monotony is stagnation, 

 and stagnation is decay. 



5. What is the object of pain ? 



Pain is monitory in its character. It guards against danger 

 and warns us of the presence of disease, i.e., the want of ease. 

 Were it not for this, we should lose the use of the more deli- 



